It was Monday.

 

As expected, it’s jam-packed this morning. I had no time to scan the crowd for her nor was I able to even catch a glimpse inside the passenger cars with all the people blocking the windows.

 

Imagine my surprise when I saw her not even a minute after I stepped inside the train. I smiled at my luck that we were in the same passenger car.

 

It must have been packed since this morning if she’s this close to the doors. She looked so uncomfortable standing there, squished in between all these people.

 

As people continued to enter the train, I couldn’t help but get pushed along. I moved aside for the entering passengers to avoid getting pushed even more. I tried to look for something to hold onto. Coincidentally, the only available railing I could see was the one directly above her. I wondered why she wasn’t holding onto it but then I noticed it was a bit high.

 

She probably couldn’t reach it.

 

I didn’t think things would get any worse, but then I found myself getting pushed again. Harder this time as people continued to rush inside. I almost fell but thankfully regained my balance immediately. I quickly looked at her direction and it seemed she was under the same situation. I made my way to her just in time to catch her as she lost her balance. I held her by the waist and pulled her close to me.

 

“Don’t worry. I got you,” I said.

 

She looked up at me with a wide-eyed expression. “Th-thanks,” was her reply.

 

I smiled in response. We sort of stood there for some time but then she made a small coughing sound. I realized I was still holding on to her waist so I quickly let go and mumbled a quick apology.

 

I hung on to the railing and then turned her way.

 

“You can hang on to me if you want?” I suggested.

 

She looked at me again with the same expression earlier. I smiled at her again, my way of saying that it’s okay. Her expression turned neutral but she kept on staring up at me.

 

I gulped.

 

I could feel my heart beating faster as she stared up at me. I couldn’t handle it any longer so I quickly looked away, facing towards my front.

 

At the corner of my eyes, I saw her hesitantly clutch onto my sleeve.

 

I hid my growing smile by biting on my cheek.

 

We didn’t talk after that but that was fine with me. This was my second time being in close proximity with this beautiful stranger and quite frankly, I wasn’t in the best condition to make conversation as I felt my nervous heart continue beating at an abnormal rate.

 

I waved goodbye when she got off at her stop to which she replied with a slight nod a quick thank you.

 

As I arrived at my workplace, I was greeted by my enthusiastic assistant and best friend. My second in command.

 

“Morning, boss.”

 

“Good morning, Sunny!” I cheerfully greeted back.

 

“Looks like someone’s already having a good day? What’s making you this cheerful so early in the day?”

 

“What’s wrong with that?” I shot back.

 

“Nothing really,” she stated with a shrug. “But, you’re annoyingly too cheerful.”

 

“Am I not usually like this?”

 

“Yeah, right,” Sunny snorted. “Anyways, I’ve emailed you some new project offers.”

 

“Thanks. I’ll go check on them right away.”

 

I’ve spent the rest of the day on my desk checking my emails, reviewing project offers Sunny sent me and experimenting with new designs. If you’re wondering, I work as a graphic designer. I own CHOIce Design.

 

Nice, right? The play on words was my idea.

 

We’re just a small company but we’ve built quite a reputation over the years. Before I turned this building as my office and workplace, it was originally a rundown warehouse. Through loans and my savings from my previous small jobs, I managed to buy this two-floor warehouse. I got it for a cheap price considering its state the first time around but I liked it because it was spacious enough. As I got more projects and clients, I slowly turned the once rundown warehouse to what it is now.

 

My office is located on the second floor including my employees’ workspace. And to satisfy my inner shikshin, I made the first floor into a cafe. Yuri and Taeyeon, two of my closest friends besides Sunny, manage the cafe for me. I trust their skills enough to give them free rein over the cafe business. They’re both culinary arts graduates so the quality of food was no problem. And judging by our influx of customers, I don’t regret my decision. Being in the same workplace as my close friends helped make work more fun and less stressful.

 

I’m quite proud of what I’ve accomplished so far.

 

At the end of the day, I felt the exhaustion finally catch up to me. I didn’t expect that many project proposals would come our way. It certainly wasn’t a bad thing since it just means we’re getting more recognition.

 

I was happy with that.

 

The downside of it all is that I have more work to do even if I divided it among. I had to immediately start on some of the approved projects if I wanted to meet the deadlines.

 

---

 

As I got on the train, I slumped onto one of the seats. I tried to shake off the tiredness but my eyes were stinging and weary from facing a screen the whole day. As much as I struggled to stay awake, I could feel myself slowly dozing off. I was about to enter dreamland but then I felt something poking my cheek. My instinctive reaction was to move my face away from whatever was poking me. I vaguely heard a soft giggle before I felt something poking my cheek again.

 

Annoyed, I forced my eyes open to see whoever was poking me.

 

Oh my god.

 

I was met with a pair of pretty brown eyes.

 

Her pretty brown eyes.

 

And the thing poking me earlier? It was her index finger that still remained poking on my cheek.

 

“Hey. You’ll miss your stop if you don’t wake up, you know?” she said as she pulled away her hand.

 

“Oh,” was the only thing that came out of my mouth.

 

I couldn’t help it. This is the first time that she’s initiated a conversation with me. And she was so close.

 

Like really close.

 

Her close proximity gave me a close up on her facial features that I’ve only been able to admire from afar.

 

She really is beautiful. More so up close.

 

I must have been in a daze for too long as I heard her giggle once more. She seemed amused.

 

“Are you okay?” she asked me, tilting her head a bit.

 

“Uh...yeah. I’m okay. Just tired from work,” I replied.

 

That wasn’t a lie.

 

She nodded.

 

Moments later, the train stopped at my station. As I got up, I thanked her for waking me up. She shook her head.

 

“Now we’re even,” was what she said. She then smiled at me.

 

I could feel the blush forming on my cheeks.

 

Never in my life have I ever been this affected by a smile. I awkwardly waved goodbye and made my way out. It wasn’t until I was halfway to my apartment that I realized something.

 

She remembered.

 

She remembers me.

 

I chuckled as I recalled our earlier encounter. She repeated the exact same words I told her from that time I caught her sleeping. It was flattering she even remembered that.

 

The days following that encounter, I would try to get on the same passenger car as her. I also built up enough courage and managed to strike small conversations. At first, we just greeted each other, sharing small smiles and nods. But as time went on, I got bolder and went beyond just greeting her and actually started talking to her. The weather. The news. The food I ate for breakfast. Anything really.

 

I would always check if I was making her uncomfortable so I was glad when she’d give me small smiles and would make short responses.

 

It was clear to me that she wasn’t talkative and a bit unsociable.

 

From what I’ve seen, she had always seemed a bit awkward but aways polite when she interacted with some of the passengers on the train. She probably came off as cold to everyone with that neutral expression of hers.

 

Me?

 

I thought otherwise.

 

I caught on to the little things. I saw how she stood up from her seat and offered it to the grandma that had just entered the train; how she caught a toddler before he fell off his seat (thank god); how she didn’t mind sitting next to a beggar and even offered him some food; how she held onto a child’s back to keep her balance; and other things.

 

I felt even more compelled to talk to her.

 

As we talked more, we eventually started conversing more comfortably. I started looking forward to our small conversations (well, in general, seeing her). The 20-minute ride to and from work became the best part of my day.

 

The strange thing is, in our conversations, we’ve never once asked each other’s names which is weird. I know.

 

I loved our random conversations but I was growing frustrated.

 

I was dying to know her name. I don’t mind referring to her as ‘the beautiful stranger’ in my head.

 

But I wanted to know her name. To put a name to a pretty face. A beautiful face that I haven’t been able to get off my mind these days.

 

Why can’t I just ask her for her name? I mean, it’s not weird since we’re acquainted already, right?

 

Maybe it was because we’ve been talking for so long without knowing each other’s names that it would be weird and awkward to bring it up now.

 

We’d just greet each other with a “Hey, you” or “Hello”.

 

It was clear that whatever I was feeling towards her wasn’t on the side of being friendly.

 

My palpitating heart pointed out it was certainly more than that. I was infatuated. I was crushing on this woman. I was completely bewitched by her. Maybe it was those pretty brown eyes? Her smile? Her giggles? Her voice?

 

I found every aspect of her to be beautiful.

 

I keep talking about how beautiful I think she is. Am I just interested because of her looks? Aren’t I being too superficial if that’s the case?

 

I wasn’t sure. Yes? No? Maybe?

 

But if that’s the case, does that explain why she makes me feel so much?

 

I can feel it growing. I’m not that dumb not to know my crush was developing more over time.

 

So now I’m faced with a problem.

 

If I don’t keep my distance, soon enough I’ll find myself falling. No scratch that. The moment I first laid my eyes on her, I think I might have already started falling.

 

The moment I started to realize my developing feelings for her, I’ve thought about slowly distancing myself.

 

But it was too late.

 

I find myself immediately drawn to her every time I see her. Without giving myself enough time to think, my feet would automatically walk in her direction; my eyes solely focused on her; and my heart thumping that familiar rhythm whenever I’m with her.

 

I know that this stranger, this beautiful stranger, probably would never look my way.

 

I doubt it.

 

I feel stupid.

 

But if it means being on the receiving end of those sweet smiles, those melodic giggles, those gentle gazes, I don’t mind feeling stupid. I’ll enjoy these moments with her for as long as I can.

 

I’ll endure it until I’m at my limit.

 

Just so that I can stand beside her like this, laughing and talking.

 

But for how long exactly?

 

I said to myself that if I reach a point where I could no longer keep these growing feelings at bay, I’ll start keeping my distance. Just thinking about being rejected, I felt my heart twinge.

 

I’ll just have to cherish these moments while they last.

 

“Hey,” I heard her say, breaking me away from my thoughts. “Are you okay?”

 

“What makes you think I’m not?” I asked back.

 

“Just…,” she hesitated. “You just looked a bit sad.”

 

I am.

 

“Oh. I was just thinking about some things. I’m fine though. I swear,” I lied.

 

I gave her a reassuring smile.

 

She gave a slight nod, clearly not convinced.

 

“I swear I’m fine,” I repeated.

 

“Okay,” was her simple reply.

 

We finally arrived at her stop. When she didn’t move from where she was standing, I looked at her curiously. She seemed to be thinking about something. She then abruptly turned her gaze to me.

 

“We’re...we’re friends, right?”

 

I tilted my head to the side. I was a bit confused at the sudden question but I replied saying, “Of course. That is, if you want us to be?”

 

“Of course,” she said earnestly. “I know we haven’t really known each other long but...ummm...you can talk to me, you know?”

 

I couldn’t help smile at that. She must have been really worried about earlier.

 

“I promise.”

 

She smiled brightly at me. For the nth time, the word beautiful was all I could think of.

 

Just when I thought she was on her way, I was completely taken by surprise by her next action. She pulled me in for a quick hug before finally stepping out of the train.

 

“Bye.”

 

I was still in shock that I couldn’t say ‘bye’ back fast enough before the doors closed on me.

 

Ugh.

 

I sat down. I covered my face with my hands. I could feel the warmth flooding my cheeks.

 

If she keeps on giving me those smiles and surprising me like that...I was doomed.

 

Despite my thoughts, my insides were fluttering in delight.

 

I squeezed my eyes shut and let out a sigh.

 

---

 

I didn’t get out on my stop.

 

I had a bad feeling from the man that just stepped inside. Unfortunately, I was right as I saw him strut his way to her.

 

I could sense her distress all the way from where I was standing. I couldn’t help but scoff at the sleazy guy drooling all over her so I quickly walked in their direction. I wrapped my arm protectively around her shoulder and pulled her away from the guy. I gave the guy an irritated glare before I walked us away, pulling her close to me.

 

I walked us to another car, thankfully, with more people in it.

 

I pulled away a bit without removing my arm around her shoulder. I glanced down and saw that she had a stoic expression on her face. Again with the poker face. A defense mechanism maybe?

 

I gave her a concerned look. “Are you okay?”

 

She looked up at me and said, “Yeah. I’m okay.”

 

“Are you really?”

 

“I...I will be. Thank you by the way.”

 

“You’re welcome.”

 

I was about to remove my arm around her but I felt her hold my arm in place. I gave her a questioning glance.

 

“It’s cold,” was her short explanation.

 

Well, I definitely wasn’t one to disobey her. I happily complied by pulling her closer to me. As a result, I could feel my heart thumping hard against my ribcage. It’s a wonder I haven’t died yet from all these heart palpitations I’ve been having lately.

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

“Why are you sorry?”

 

“You missed your stop because of me.”

 

“You have nothing to apologize for. I would gladly miss my stop again for you,” I exclaimed.

 

I saw her bite down on a smile.

 

“Thank you.”

 

“Anytime.”

 

We bid each other goodbye when we reached her stop. However, at the corner of my eye, I saw a familiar figure getting out as well. I could feel a surge of protectiveness come over me. I quickly got out and hastily ran to her.

 

I placed my arm over the unsuspecting woman’s shoulder, receiving a small shriek. She gave me one of those cold glares of hers. I just gave her a warm smile in response. Her features immediately softened when she realized it was me. She scrunched her eyebrows, looking at me questioningly.

 

“What are you-” she was about to ask but I cut her off by leaning close and whispering to her ear.

 

“I’ll explain later. For now, let’s go somewhere more crowded, ‘kay?”

 

She nodded.

 

“Okay.”

 

I couldn’t help but notice the faint blush on her cheeks.

 

Cute.

 

I assumed it must be from the cool night air, I pulled her closer to me once more as I ushered her to move quickly. I took a glance behind us and sure enough, the man from the train was there, silently following us.

 

Fortunately, I saw a security guard so I walked us towards him. I quickly told him about our situation, careful to not let the woman beside me hear so she won't panic. He reassured me he’ll take care of it.

 

After thanking the guard, I walked us towards the exit. I looked back for a moment and smirked. As promised, the guard held up the guy following us.

 

“Do you mind explaining to me now? Or do I have to worry about calling the police about you possibly kidnapping me?”

 

Hearing that I snapped my attention to her, quickly removing my hands away from her.

 

She giggled at my action.

 

“I'm kidding,” she said but then her face turned serious. “But seriously, what was that all about?”

 

“You know that guy earlier?” I inquired to which she nodded. “I saw him get out the same time as you did so...well...worst things came to mind so I followed you out,” I explained. “That’s why I talked with the security guard if he could take care of him.”

 

After my explanation, she had this confused look on her face. The way her brows knit and the small pout forming on her lips, I found it all...

 

So ing cute.

 

“Are you seriously this nice to people?” she asked.

I chuckled at that. “More like I care about people important to me.”

 

She hummed. “So I'm important to you? Even though we’re strangers?” she inquired with a slight raise of an eyebrow.

 

“Of course,” I quickly answered, my eyes locked onto hers. “We’re friends now, remember? And I take care of my friends.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Really. Even if we were strangers, my conscience would never let me have anything bad happen to you” I added.

 

She hummed once more. Her eyes still locked on to me, a small smile playing on her lips. After a few moments of just staring at each other, she took a step back.

 

“Well, I guess this is good night then,” she said.

 

“Uhm yeah. Good night,” I replied.

 

“Bye,” she said softly.

 

As she turned her back to me, I felt sad seeing her go.

 

For some reason, my gut chose this moment to push me to finally ask. I found myself running to her. She must have heard me as she turned around and I came face to face with her confused expression once again.

 

“Wait,” came out my slightly breathless voice. “I know it's a bit awkward and stupid of me for asking this now but…” I paused, thinking whether I should ask. She said nothing and waited for me to finish.

 

I cleared my throat.

 

“What's your name?”

 

She blinked once at me then tilted her head to the side. As I looked closely at her, I saw her eyes glint in amusement.

 

“Why?” she questioned.

 

So I’ll stop calling you ‘beautiful stranger’ in my head.

 

I noticed her eyes widen into a shocked expression.

 

“I just said that out loud, didn't I?” I said.

 

I could feel my cheeks flushing red in embarrassment. I brought a hand up to cover my face. It was useless hiding, but at least I could pretend so it would help ease my embarrassment from the situation.

 

“No.”

 

No?

 

I peeked through my fingers and saw her giving me a playful smirk.

 

“What?”

 

“I said no.”

 

“No? What do you mean by ‘No’?”

 

“It means...that I won’t be giving out my name,” she clarified. I noticed that her voice was full of mirth as she said that.

 

Is she teasing me?

 

“But why?”

 

My voice must have come out too whiny which I figured must be the reason she snorted a laugh.

 

“Maybe I don’t mind being called ‘beautiful stranger’,” she said flashing me a cheeky grin.

 

I frowned. I could feel myself getting desperate. “What if I tell you mine and then you tell me yours? I think that would be a fair trade, right?”

 

“What makes you think I’m interested in knowing your name?”

 

I opened and closed my mouth like a fish, trying to think of something to say.

 

“Are you telling me you don’t want to know my name?” I asked.

 

She gave me a teasing smirk. “Nope.”

 

Seriously?!

 

I sighed.

 

It seems like the more I get frustrated about this the more amused she becomes.

 

“Fine,” I relented. Checking my watch, my eyes widened at how late it was. “Can I at least walk you home then? I mean...since it’s pretty late. And I kind of don’t want you going home on your own after what happened earlier.”

 

I was feeling a bit paranoid about her safety.

 

She seemed a bit taken aback by that but that teasing smirk came back.

 

Oh the things I’d do to wipe off that smirk.

 

“So now you’ve moved on to wanting to know my address?” she accused but her tone light and teasing. “Are you stalking me?”

 

“What? No!” I denied.

 

I heard her make a humming sound. I watched her turn her back towards me and started walking away. Well, that’s sort of a bit harsh way to get rejected. I was about to turn and walk towards the opposite direction when she turned back to me and called me out.

 

“Where are you going?”

 

“Home.”

 

“Why?”

 

I looked at her weirdly.

 

“I mean you don’t want me to walk you home so…” I drawled

 

“I never said I didn’t want you to,” was her nonchalant reply. With that, she turned her back to me once more and started to walk. All I could do was gape at her walking figure.

 

Is she playing with me?

 

Realizing I was standing there like an idiot, I hurriedly ran to her. Again.

 

I’ve been doing a lot of running tonight. I chucked to myself.

 

As we walked, I felt her shiver beside me. Now that I look at her, her clothes weren’t that thick as I first thought. It’s only the last week of January so it’s still rather cold.

 

“Wait,” I said. She stopped walking and faced me. First, I gave her my jacket and I took off my scarf as well. Feeling a bit playful, I wrapped the scarf all the way up to her head. A little bit of revenge from all the teasing earlier.

 

I laughed as she grabbed my hands and moved them away. She pulled the scarf down to her neck, revealing one of the coldest glare I’ve ever seen.

 

I immediately stopped me from laughing.

 

She let out a huff and started speed walking away from me.

 

Uh oh. Good one, idiot.

 

I rushed to her, walking faster to keep up with her.

 

“Hey! Look I’m sorry. I really am. I was just joking around. I’m an idiot, okay?” I pleaded but she wouldn’t even look my way. I apologized profusely but it wasn’t working. One of the shops we were passing by caught my eye which gave me an idea.

 

I quickly went into the shop.

 

I didn’t take too long as I was afraid she would leave me behind. I didn’t even bother waiting for my change.

 

Once I was outside, I found her standing not so far from me. She looked lost as her head turned about. Searching.

 

I bit down on my lip to stop the -eating grin trying to eat up my face. I crept towards her from behind, careful so that she won’t notice me. I tapped on her shoulder to which she responded by immediately whipping around, a concerned expression on her face.

 

It then morphed into relief then to a pissed off expression.

 

Not minding the look she was directing at me, I tapped her nose with what I was holding, surprising her.

 

“Forgive me?”

 

I held out a red tulip in front of her.

 

She eyed the flower with interest.

 

To my relief, she took it.

 

“Is this why you suddenly disappeared?”

 

I nodded. I looked at her expectantly. She didn’t seem pissed off anymore. I cheered in my head over my small victory.

 

“You’re forgiven,” she said. I grinned but I yelped after she slapped my arm. “But don’t you ever dare just suddenly disappear on me like that. Arasso?”

 

“Yes, ma’am."

 

“And by the way, I wasn't mad at you earlier. I was just acting, you know?”

 

I looked at her in disbelief.

 

“What? You mean I got you a flower for nothing?”

 

“Well, that’s what you get for playing around too much.”

 

I felt myself pout.

 

She hit my face with the flower and saying, “Yah. Don’t pout. It doesn't suit you.”

 

That just made me pout even more, jutting out my bottom lip.

 

I saw her shake her head.

 

“Anyways, this is probably the nicest gesture anyone has given me,” she said.

 

I quirked an eyebrow.

 

“Really?”

 

She nodded.

 

I watched as she admired the flower I gave her. She then smiled up at me.

 

“Thank you for the flower.”

 

“Uhmm s-sure. You're welcome.”

 

Did I just stutter?

 

If only you could see how she was smiling at me. You’d understand if you saw it for yourself.

 

We continued walking but after a few steps, she faced me again.

 

“Aren’t you cold? You can have your jacket back.”

 

“I’m fine. My sweater’s enough to keep me warm for now. Besides, you were the one shivering earlier.”

 

“Sorry. I forgot to take my coat in my office.”

 

We made small conversation along the way.

 

“By the way, I never really got to ask why you use the subway?”

 

“Why? Is there a rule saying I can’t?” She frowned at me.

 

“I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just, I’ve always been riding the subway to work so I’m quite familiar with the people I ride with every day,” I clarified. “And then I just saw you out of the blue so I was just wondering is all.”

 

I didn’t think she was going to answer me since she suddenly turned silent after I brought up the topic. I was about to talk about something else when she spoke up.

 

“My boyfriend,” she scoffed. “Sorry. I mean my ex-boyfriend crashed my car. He borrowed my car one night and went out drinking with his friends. The next thing I knew, I got a call from the police. Fortunately, he just crashed on a lamp post.”

 

“Wow. Sorry to hear that.”

 

“Yeah. Good thing I have insurance.”

 

“So...is your car fixed, yet?”

 

“The autoshop actually called me this morning. They’ll have it done by tomorrow.”

 

“Oh.”

 

Does this mean I won’t get to see her anymore?

 

“Well this is me.”

 

Finally noticing where we are, we stopped in front of a white two-story modern suburban house. For a while we just stood in front of the gate, facing each other.

 

“I guess I’ll be taking my leave now,” I said.

 

I don’t want to leave.

 

If this is really the last time I’ll be seeing her, then…

 

“But before that…” I paused, not really sure if I should continue.

 

Well, whatever.

 

“I know you said earlier how you weren’t curious about my name, which I don’t believe by the way,” I said. She rolled her eyes at me accompanied by a snort. “I may not know your name but I want you to at least know mine.”

 

I held out my hand to her and introduced myself.

 

“I’m Sooyoung. Choi Sooyoung.”

 

She looked at my hand for a moment before she accepted.

 

“Nice to meet you, Sooyoung-ssi,” she said.

 

We shared a smile.

 

For some reason, I couldn’t help but a bit. Anything to prolong this moment.

 

“Your hands are cold,” I blurted out.

 

She broke away from our handshake and gave me that annoyed pouting look.

 

She really is cute.

 

I chuckled a bit. “You should quickly go inside and warm yourself.”

 

“Okay. Good night, Sooyoung-ssi.”

 

“Just Sooyoung is fine.”

 

“Sooyoung then.”

 

I grinned at hearing her drop the honorifics.

 

She thanked me again as she gave back my jacket and scarf.

 

Since she still wouldn’t give up her name I stuck with what I know.

 

“Good night, beautiful stranger.”

 

(A/N: I know. It sounds so corny. And I’m sorry for using it so much since from the start. Even I’m embarrassed by her calling her beautiful stranger since the first time.)

 

I saw her blushing.

 

My grin grew wider.

 

“Stay safe going home, you got me?” she told me in a rather commanding tone.

 

I found it endearing though.

 

“I will.”

 

As I walked away from her house, I heard her call my name. I turned around, shooting her a curious glance.

 

“Jessica!”

 

“What?”

 

“My name. It’s Jessica.”

 

I felt like I just won the lottery when I heard that. Before I could say anything, she had already got inside her house.

 

“Jessica,” I murmured to myself.

 

I said her name over and over.

 

She invaded my mind once again.

 

Again? She’s all that I’ve been thinking about these days.